Monaghan 8 Limavady 57
Limavady’s unbeaten start to the season was given its toughest test so far when they made the long journey to the Farney County to take on Monaghan Town on Saturday past. Kicking off, and lead by a big aggressive forward unit it was clear that the homeside were up for taking the scalp of the Qualifying League 3 leaders. Some lazy play from the Limavady forwards saw a penalty being awarded, and for the first time this season Limavady found themselves behind when it was converted by the Monaghan Out-half.
This was the first score conceaded in three weeks and only served notice that to claim the victory points a more focused team display would be required. The response was to be quick however. A penalty was awarded five meters from the line after recalled winger Tom McClelland made a terrific break down the right hand side. The penalty was taken quickly by Jamie Miller and with the home side caught napping, Luke Flaukner played in Jamie Mo Miller for the games opening try. Three minutes later and this time McClelland did manage to cross the whitewash after good approach play by Jordan and full back Peter Wilson. Kiwi Greg Jordan kicked both conversions, and 9 minutes later he made it three from three after Jamie Mo Miller broke through the home rearguard for his second score of the day.
After such a promising start the home side were left somewhat shell shocked by the response from the visitors, and in the final ten minutes of the half Limavady put the game to bed with two further scores. Second Row Michael Rice powered over for his second try of the season following a steal from a Monaghan lineout. Eight minutes later it was Peter Wilson who got over the line. Another flowing backs move saw Miller and Faulkner combine to set up Wilson, but the full back still had a lot of work to do as he cut inside and beat the advances and best efforts of two Monaghan players. Greg Jordan made it five conversions from five with his best kick of the day. With the last play of the half Monaghan almost got a try themselves but some outstanding last gasp defending from Clive Scott and debutant Peter Browne saw the Monaghan forward being held up right on the line.
Half Time Monaghan 3 Limavady 35
During the half time period both side s were dealt a blow as both lost a forward each due to injury. Monaghan lost a second row to a head injury and Limavady lost back row player Peter Browne who was having an outstanding debut at openside in place of the unavailable captain, Daniel Irvine.
Rules dictate that no substitutes are allowed, so both sides soldiered with 14 men.
Limavady made a brighter start to the second half and with the first attack of the half Tom McClelland made another darting run into the Monaghan half. Te ball was worked to Michael Rice, and with a side step that any back would be proud of, waltzed under theposts to claim his second score of the day. On 48 mins the homeside scored a try that their forward play deserved when their No 8 just got over the line despite the best efforts of Miller and Hunt.
Like the score they conceaded in the first half the reply instant and ruthless. Jamie Mo Miller was has been immense this season following a year out broke through the home defence for the third time to claim his first hatrick in a 1st XV jersey. With the bonus point win safely in the bag, play became some what sloppy as the penalty count began to build up, but credit must go to the defence who held the big Monaghan pack at bay with countless tackles being made by all of the remaining seven forwards on the field. In fact for the first time this season all the tackle count for all the forwards had reached double figures.
After an impressive showing in the defence from the forwards it was left to the backs to have the final say, especially for Tom McClelland who celebrated his recall with his second hatrick of the season. The speedster owned the last ten minutes scoring a further two tries, the second of which was a run that started deep in his own ’22’.
Final Score Monaghan 8 Limavady 57
Team P.Wilson, T.McClelland, J.M. Miller, G. Jordan, S. Roddy, L.Faulkner, J.Miller. C.Scott, J.Blair, J.McCollum, M.Rice, M.Hunt, J.McCool, P.Browne, S.Mackey.
So a potential banana skin avoided and just the sort of tough battle that Head Coach Paul O’Kane was wanting after a few easier games over the last few weeks, and one that he hopes has them well prepared for their next fixture against second placed PSNI on Saturday 31st October. The Police have been going very well this year and have just the one lose against their nam, a point defeat against UUC back in September. Kick off time for this one will be confirmed next week.
The seconds suffered an agonising one point defeat to Armagh 3rds at The John Hunter Memorial Grounds on Saturday. Leading by four points at half time, the Men from the Orchard County grabbed the only score of the second half to claim the spoils on a 20-19 scoreline. Next week they face County Armagh opposition again, this time in the form of Portadown 3rds. Kick off at Chambers Park is 2.30pm. As there is no 1st XV game, a big support would be most welcome.
